We always bring in our own water bottles and just fill them in the drinking fountains. But, the restaurants are also required to give you water with ice if you ask. So, you don't HAVE to pay for bottled water if you don't want to!

I'm not Dawn, but you can definitely bring in your own food. We'd bring in quite a bit and they never questioned us at all!

So, our family got this. Dh sent it out to our church group asking them to get one for themselves and donate one to the church (because, if you don't homeschool, how many reams of paper do you actually go through?). So, it has benefitted a lot of people and organizations!

The way things are changing with the FastPass system, I don't think I'll stay off-property again. So, if you can swing it, I say try to stay on property. The dining plan is something we always get. We usually go during Free Dining though.

When my dd needed to put on some weight, we would put a lot of oil on things. I roasted veggies in coconut oil or steamed them with olive oil. We did shakes - I'd throw in whole milk and yogurt, avacadoes, with a LOT of fruit to sweeten it a bit. Occasionally, I'd throw in some ice cream as a treat. When dd stopped drinking the shakes, I'd make them and turn them into popsicles! Instant treat! We found dd was more willing to eat in the morning, so we'd fill her up with all sorts of food at breakfast. Eggs. Cooked in butter or coconut oil. Bacon or sausage. Potatoes. Toast with peanut butter. Whatever combo of those she would eat, she got. Homemade pizza? Make your own crust so it's healthier. Pile it high with cheese and toppings like sausage and pepperoni.

We were in Orlando from 1/3 - 1/6 and the high temp ranged frm 55 - 78! In three days! We've been in January when it was 80 and we were all in the pools. We were there in 2010 (I think) when it was a high of 30s for a few days. That was miserable!

Around here, the super-talented kids do choose a main sport. Early. My boys played travel baseball starting around age 8 or 9. It was year-round and left little time for other sports. Now, the boys all row and it is year-round as well. Dd is a gymnast and doesn't have time for another sport. But, if they had wanted to do things on a recreational level, they could have done that too. Baseball in the spring. Soccer in the fall. Basketball in the winter. Swimming in the summer, etc,e tc, etc.

I remember a year ago I found a site that had the FAFSA broken down line by line with hints on how to do it correctly. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Or, do you have any hints or websites to recommend? This form is SCARY long!!!

We have been in Florida for a couple days on vacation. The weather is weird! Hot one day and then freezing! We are looking forward to hot again tomorrow. I think what you are experiencing is all the weird weather changes. We get on our cruise on Monday. So I'm hoping all these weird temp changes are done by then!!!

I've been thinking about this since you posted and I think that the reason she wants to provide all the food is because she wants to control what her family eats. You said that the kids/dad weren't happy with the diet change. I bet she knows that they'll eat your food and not hers. I'm glad to see she's "letting" you bring some of your favorites!

I really shouldn't answer as I have teen boys. But your dd has more clothes than I do!!!! I have to say, I'm a little jealous! (I think I dress pretty well. I have a few base things and I accessorize a LOT. So, I have very few base shirts and pants. But, I have a number of sweaters, necklaces, and scarves. So it always looks like I'm wearing something different.)

I don't know if you can change things, but we have a neighbor who owns a number of rentals. He personally goes to each one and collects the rent weekly. He says that because the amount is much smaller than paying once a month, he is more likely to get his money. Good luck. I don't know what i'd do.

I dont even want to think about it. My ds leaves next summer and I can't even imagine life without him here. . . .

I woke up thinking about them and was looking for an update too!

My son did it!!! I've been reading all along here and seeing all these acceptances and I've been so jealous!!! Now it's my turn to brag!!! Sam just got official notification from Kettering University - Early Decision, baby!!!!!

((hugs)) My wonderful doctor retired early because of changes in health care. Makes me terribly sad.

Aw. Thanks. I truly thought she was a boy throughout the pregnancy. So, when she was born, I was in shock!!! Shopping for clothes and doing hair has been SO much fun! Thanks!!! You too!

Here they are now. Sam is 17.5, ANdrew is 16, William is 13, and Meg is 7.5. Little different, heh?

Here you go! The background was NOT my taste. Dh picked it out. We actually ended up using this photo in our cards that year. After this was taken, the photographer was WONDERFUL with Meg. She had me lie down and draped a blanket over me. She got some amazing shots as Meg sat on me!! Found one! She's lying on my arm in this one!! And, looking at these makes me so sad!!!! My kids are SO much bigger now. My oldest is 17 1/2! Meg is 7. Whaaaaaaa!!!!

Officially, he can't talk to coaches until next year. But, we will definitely be out east with him in the spring!!!

I've been reading over some of the threads that discuss athletics and I think I need to talk with someone who has BTDT with rowing specifically. It looks like they aren't under the NCAA, officially, but sort of. I need help sorting it all out. My ds is 16 and a sophomore and has a couple state and national (and one international!) titles under his belt and is pulling scores on the rowing machines that are consistent with what colleges are looking for at his age. He is really very talented. I don't want to mess this up for him! His current goal is to row at a D1 school (Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Yale, specifically). Academically, he'll be on target for those schools given that he has such an impressive rowing resume. (He does very well academically, but if it weren't for his rowing, he may not get into an Ivy. KWIM?) Currently, he has a webpage on Berecruited.com and has a number of coaches following him. Anyway. Anyone have any advice?

I do open the door. But, we live in a neighborhood where I feel safe.

We're in the suit and tie camp. But, I think you can do nicer clothing pretty cheap. Khakis are cheap at Target. Pair that with a collared shirt tucked in with a belt. Easy peasy!!

Woohoo!

Ds got his yesterday. He is a sophomore and scored in the 95% for college bound juniors. He was absolutely devastated! He was hoping to get higher. Poor kid. But, it motivated him to study - even yesterday. I was thrilled with his scores.